English: Pictured is a Royal Marine using a Machete to clear debris caused by Hurricane IRMA before Hurricane MARIA arrives at Tortola, BVI.

Assault Engineers from 40 Commando and Royal Engineers from 54 Commando Squadron cleared storm drains in key locations before hurricane Maria made landfall on the British Virgin Islands later that day.

With heavy rain already beginning, the Royal Marines removed debris left after the destruction of Irma to allow the steep terrain to drain and reduce flash flooding.

Outside the local hospital the Assault Engineers removed large trees, roofing and earth from a concrete gulley. A blocked drain here would stop critical ambulance access to the hospital, vital for recovery in the aftermath of the storm.

In early September 2017 Hurricane Irma moved through the Caribbean region, causing absolute devastation wherever it landed. The British Overseas Territories of Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the British Virgin Islands suffered lasting damage.

All three services and other government departments, along with hundreds of troops were involved in the huge humanitarian effort. Ships, planes and helicopters delivered tonnes of supplies to the UK nationals and locals caught up in the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.

• Organization: Royal Navy
• Object Name: BB170056010
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental Categories: Reconstruction, Humanitarian, Operations, Royal Marines, People, Security
• Keywords: Machete, Non-Identifiable, Personnel, 40 Cdo, 3 Cdo Bde RM, 3 Commando Brigade, Unit, Royal Marines, Royal Navy, Alpha Company, Op RUMAN, 40 Commando, Caribbean Sea, Royal Marine Unit, Shore Establishment, Humanitarian Aid, BVI, British Vigin Islands, Road Town, Tortola, Disaster Relief, Operation Ruman, Caribbean, Hurricane IRMA, Repairs, Engineering, Security, Weather, Climate, Rain, Raining, Rainy, Wet, Hurricane MARIA
• Country: BVI